41.   He most prominent campaign supporter was Ibrahim Babangida, the general who toppled the civilian government Obasanjo installed.

42.   His action eased a tense standoff with the civilian government that raised fears that the country was on the verge of a coup.

43.   His reward was to be named minister of communications in the first civilian government, which gave him the power to award licenses for television and radio stations.

44.   However, translate that into specifics -- Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, pensions for veterans and civilian government retirees ---- and everyone affected gets the message.

45.   In an unusually peaceful transfer of power, a civilian government that grew out of a military regime has accepted an election defeat and surrendered power to the opposition.

46.   It would be impossibly costly for the private sector to organize, and it would be regarded as a waste of money by any civilian government department.

47.   Just last year, millions of Nigerians went to the polls to elect a civilian government.

48.   Meanwhile, Babangida named an interim civilian government, headed by Ernest Shonekan.

49.   Moving quickly to install a local civilian government appears to be a strategy to avoid appearing like a conquering army rather than liberators.

50.   Military officers have condemned it, as have civilian government officials.